Latest news with #SandiaNationalLaboratories
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
A Cracked Piece of Metal Self-Healed in Experiment That Stunned Scientists
File this under 'That's not supposed to happen!'. In an experiment published in 2023, scientists observed a damaged section of metal healing itself. Though the repair was only on a nanoscale level, understanding the physics behind the process could inspire a whole new era of engineering. A team from Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University was testing the resilience of a small piece of platinum suspended in a vacuum using a specialized transmission electron microscope technique to pull the ends of the metal 200 times every second. They then observed the self-healing at ultra-small scales in the 40-nanometer-thick wafer of metal. Cracks caused by the kind of strain described above are known as fatigue damage: repeated stress and motion that causes microscopic breaks, eventually causing machines or structures to break. Amazingly, after about 40 minutes of observation, the crack in the platinum started to fuse back together and mend itself before starting again in a different direction. "This was absolutely stunning to watch first-hand," said materials scientist Brad Boyce from Sandia National Laboratories when the results were announced. "We certainly weren't looking for it. What we have confirmed is that metals have their own intrinsic, natural ability to heal themselves, at least in the case of fatigue damage at the nanoscale." These are exact conditions, and we don't know yet exactly how this is happening or how we can use it. However, if you think about the costs and effort required for repairing everything from bridges to engines to phones, there's no telling how much difference self-healing metals could make. While the observation is unprecedented, it's not wholly unexpected. In 2013, Texas A&M University materials scientist Michael Demkowicz worked on a study predicting that this kind of nanocrack healing could happen, driven by the tiny crystalline grains inside metals essentially shifting their boundaries in response to stress. Demkowicz also worked on this study, using updated computer models to show that his decade-old theories about metal's self-healing behavior at the nanoscale matched what was happening here. That the automatic mending process happened at room temperature is another promising aspect of the research. Metal usually requires lots of heat to shift its form, but the experiment was carried out in a vacuum; it remains to be seen whether the same process will happen in conventional metals in a typical environment. A possible explanation involves a process known as cold welding, which occurs under ambient temperatures whenever metal surfaces come close enough together for their respective atoms to tangle together. Typically, thin layers of air or contaminants interfere with the process; in environments like the vacuum of space, pure metals can be forced close enough together to literally stick. "My hope is that this finding will encourage materials researchers to consider that, under the right circumstances, materials can do things we never expected," said Demkowicz. The research was published in Nature. An earlier version of this article was published in July 2023. A Fifth Force of Nature May Have Been Discovered Inside Atoms Strange Radio Signals Detected Emanating From Deep Under Antarctic Ice Light Squeezed Out of Darkness in Surprising Quantum Simulation
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Controlled explosives test will be conducted at Kirtland Air Force Base
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A controlled explosives test will be conducted at Kirtland Air Force Base this week, according to Sandia National Laboratories. The test will be completed on Thursday between 1 and 3 p.m. on the south end of the base. Story continues below New Mexico Crime Files: Grocery store worker hands out semen-tainted yogurt Film: These productions were filmed at White Sands. Have you seen them? New Mexico News Insiders: Who Will Fix New Mexico's Mental Health Problems? News: Governor's Office: Operation Zia Shield is different than situation in California Some Albuquerque residents may hear an explosion or see black smoke above the base following the experiment. Test dates and times may change due to weather conditions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thomas Warren Hoover Thomas Warren Hoover, known to most as
Jun. 7—Thomas Warren Hoover Thomas Warren Hoover, known to most as Tom, age 92, passed away on April 5, 2025. He was born in Washington, Iowa, on June 25, 1932, to Leo and Rhea Hoover. A devoted husband, father, and public servant, Tom will be deeply missed by family and friends. Tom earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University and spent 31 years at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M. At Central United Methodist Church, he met Bettye Garrard; they were married in 1960 and remained lifelong members of the congregation. In 1964, Tom was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives, serving for ten years and rising to the position of Minority Leader. When Albuquerque transitioned to a city council form of government in 1974, he brought his legislative experience to the City Council, serving for 13 years, including two terms as president. Among his proudest achievements was sponsoring the quarter-cent quality-of-life tax, which supported institutions such as the Albuquerque BioPark, the Balloon Museum, and public art programs. Tom and Bettye raised two sons, Kurt and Craig. He designed their family home, landscaped the yard, and built a game room and workshop. The couple instilled strong values and a deep commitment to service in their children. Tom later worked in public finance as Deputy Secretary of Finance for the State of New Mexico and as Director of Finance for the City of Albuquerque before retiring. Even in retirement, Tom remained active. He served on the board of Saranam, delivered Meals on Wheels until the age of 90, sang in the church choir, performed with the NewMexiChords Barbershop Chorus for 25 years, and traveled extensively with Bettye-often alongside lifelong church friends. Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bettye, in 2020. He is survived by his sons, Kurt and Craig; daughter-in-law, Susie; and grandchildren, Joshua, Bettyjane, and Matea. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on June 21, 2025 at Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels or Saranam. Please visit our online guestbook for Tom at
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Virginia Gazolas Dalesandro Virginia Gazolas Dalesandro,
Jun. 7—Virginia Gazolas Dalesandro Virginia Gazolas Dalesandro, lovingly known as "Aunt Gina," passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025. She was 100 years old. Virginia was born in Vaughn, New Mexico on January 31, 1925 to Jean Leon and Julia Panebouef Gazolas. She grew up in Vaughn where she attended and graduated from Vaughn High School in 1942. She then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend business school where she received a certificate in Business. Virginia went on to work for Sandia National Laboratories and the Department of Energy and retired after 30 years of service. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jean Leon Gazolas and Julia Panebouef, and her siblings Mary Ann (John), Isidro (Hattie) and Alex (Marcella). She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Leon (Jennifer) Sikora, John Sikora, John Gazolas, Joan Archibeque (Norbert), Julie Garcia (Toby), Janna Smith (Phil), Anita Karler (Phil) and several great-nieces and nephews. A visitation with family will begin at 9:00 AM on June 20, 2025, at The Church of the Risen Savior Catholic church 7701 Wyoming NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109. A Rosary will be held at 9:30 AM, followed by the Mass at 10:00 AM. After the services, the family invites everyone to join them at El Patron Restaurant, 8100 Wyoming Blvd for a luncheon in Virginia's honor. Honorary pallbearers will be her nieces and nephews. Virginia will be buried in the Gazolas Family's plot at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vaughn at a later date.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thomas Warren Hoover Thomas Warren Hoover, known to most as
Jun. 7—Thomas Warren Hoover Thomas Warren Hoover, known to most as Tom, age 92, passed away on April 5, 2025. He was born in Washington, Iowa, on June 25, 1932, to Leo and Rhea Hoover. A devoted husband, father, and public servant, Tom will be deeply missed by family and friends. Tom earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University and spent 31 years at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M. At Central United Methodist Church, he met Bettye Garrard; they were married in 1960 and remained lifelong members of the congregation. In 1964, Tom was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives, serving for ten years and rising to the position of Minority Leader. When Albuquerque transitioned to a city council form of government in 1974, he brought his legislative experience to the City Council, serving for 13 years, including two terms as president. Among his proudest achievements was sponsoring the quarter-cent quality-of-life tax, which supported institutions such as the Albuquerque BioPark, the Balloon Museum, and public art programs. Tom and Bettye raised two sons, Kurt and Craig. He designed their family home, landscaped the yard, and built a game room and workshop. The couple instilled strong values and a deep commitment to service in their children. Tom later worked in public finance as Deputy Secretary of Finance for the State of New Mexico and as Director of Finance for the City of Albuquerque before retiring. Even in retirement, Tom remained active. He served on the board of Saranam, delivered Meals on Wheels until the age of 90, sang in the church choir, performed with the NewMexiChords Barbershop Chorus for 25 years, and traveled extensively with Bettye-often alongside lifelong church friends. Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bettye, in 2020. He is survived by his sons, Kurt and Craig; daughter-in-law, Susie; and grandchildren, Joshua, Bettyjane, and Matea. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on June 21, 2025 at Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels or Saranam. Please visit our online guestbook for Tom at
